Bearing and method of making the same



April 29, 1924. 1,491,906

H. B. cmRlvlANv A BEARING AND'METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME Filed Aug. 2. 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet l Arran/vn Apri-l5- 29 192 H. B. GARMAN,

BEARING AND METHOD oF MAKING THE SAME lFiled Aug. 2. 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Afro/mary Patented Apr. 29, 1924.

UNITED STATES ramos PATENT orrica. p

HARRY B. GARMAN, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO THE STEEL PRODUCTS COM- PANY, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO..

BEARING AND METHOD MAKING THE SAME.

Application led August 2, 1921. Serial No. 489,365.

H) I have contemplated applying that principle, so as to distinguish it from other inventions.

My invention relates to improved bearingsy and improved methods of making the same '1 3 and particularly to mechanism of this character adapted for use'with o-operative journal surfaces which are large compared to the dimensions of the bearing surface. More particularly, my invention `relates to im- L proved bearings adapted for use in drag links forming part ofthe steering mechanism of automobiles and the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings andhere-inafter described as part of a drag I.' link construction, in order well to illustrate one field An which my improved bearing may be efficiently employed. The design of the invention is to form an article of this character which can be economically manufactured from a grade of Steel no better than a good grade of machinery steel, hot rolled pickled steel, for instance, such steel by my improved method furnishing a bearing having a very smooth wearing surface and in T which the steel of the final product is well refined.

The annexed drawings and the following description set forth in detail certain means embodying my improved bearing and certain steps exemplifying my improved method, the disclosed means and steps, however, constituting but one of the various mechanical forms in which the principle of the invention may be employed and but one of the various ways in which the same may be carried out.

In said annexed drawings:

Figures 1 and 2 represent partial side elevations and partial central vertical sec- '1 tions of the axle arm end and the steering arm end, respectively, of an assembled drag link in which my improved bearings form part of the elements.

Figures 3 and 4 represent, respectively,

55 lplan and side views of a piece of bar stock a punching operation and a blanking operation by a gang and followdie, utilized in someof the steps of my improved method of manufacturing bearings.

Figure 6 represents a central vertical section of said strip of bar Stock and said gang and follow die, illustrating particularly a die for use in making one type of improved bearing having a fiat back.

Figures 7 and 8 represent, respectively, a plan view and an axial section of the blank for one of the bearings as punched out from the bar stock shown in Figure 3.

Figure 9 represents a section similar to that shown in Figure 6, illustrating a die utilized for forming a modified type of bearing having a convex back.

Figure 10 represents a fragmentary central sectional view of a coining die, in a partially open position, utilized for performing the last step of my improved method, in the manner by which the method is illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Figure 11 is a fragmentary view, similar to that shown in Figure 10, showing the dies in their closed position.

Figures 12, 13 and 14 are, respectively, a plan view, a central vertical section and a central horizontal section ofv the completed .bearing of the flat back type.

Figure 15 is a view similar to Figure 1l, showing a convex back type of blank.

Figures 16, 17 and 18 are, respectively, .a plan view, a central vertical section and a central horizontal section of a completed bearing of the convex back type.

Referring to the annexed drawings cin which the same parts are denoted in the several figures by the same ordinals, respectively, a piece of bar stock is indicated by the ordinal 1, Figure 3, which, by the first step of my improved method, is recessed with a punch 3, as illustrated by the ordinal 2, Figure 5, this operationalsov resulting in a condensing of the metal of the bar stock. The bar is then fed under a punch 4:,y which blanks from the bar a disk 5 of somewhat different dimensions than the finished bearing, for instance, the diameter of the blank 5 is smaller than that -of the finished bearing, as hereinafter fully explained. The dies cooperating' with the l punch 3 Vary .in design, as illustrated by- Figures 6 and 9 herein, respectively. fIhe dies 6 and 6, respectively, are utllized eventually resulting 1n a bearing 16 with a ilatback in the one case, Figure 13, and in abearing'17 Withaconvex back in. the other case, Figure 17 'the latter .type of bearing being produced with less stress upon the 'dies'. i

The blank is then put in a coining press capable of still further. condensing the `metal by exerting comparatively heavy pressures, for instance, capable of delivering a blow of four hu'ndred `([100) tons. By this meansl the blank is formed up into the bearing of thedesired shape and dimensions, and being,

' as a result of the above-described series of operations, composed of .metal` which is well refined and having, as a result of the pressc oining and the attendant compression, a

' very smooth and hard wearing surface.

Parts of this coining press are-illustrated in Figure 10 in which is s hown the punch 7, a suggestion-of a ram 8, a die 9 and other incidentale to press operation such as y punch-holders, die-holders, fillers, etc.' It will be noted that the diameter of the blank 5 as it appears in the press shown in Figure 10 is somewhat less than that of the face of the punch 7. Furthermore, other dimensions of the blank 5 are different from those of the finished bearing, as, for iny stance, it will ybe noted that the diameter of the recess 2 is considerably less than the -diameter of the concave bearing surface which willbe formed in the bearing by the die 9'and which is -illustrated by the dis-A tance between the points 11, Figure 10. As illustrated-in Figures 11 and 15, the Aflat back typ'e of 'bearing 12, andthe convex back t pe of. bearing 13, respectively, are

forme up in the coming press by means of suitably designed punches 7 and 7', resulting in a product of the qualities above mentioned.

Incidental to the recessing operation illus- Itrated-by the ordinal 2, Figure 5, a groove 14 is formed in the'bar stock. This groove is utilized, as hereinafter fully described, for ,the eiiicient lubrication of the connecty ing arm balls of a drag link with which the bearings cooperate. After the bearings are coined as illustrated by the ordinals 12 and 13, the same are drilled to form holes `15, which also are utilized for lubricating purposes v as hereinafter fullyexplained. The Atwo types of bearingsfcomplete with their lubricating grooves and holes are indi- .cated by the ordinals 16 and 17, respectively, Figures 12 to 18 inclusive.

Heretofore, insofar as I am aware, bearlings of this character have been made on screw machines. lWhen it'is'desired tof impart a smooth and hard wearmg. surfacel to such bearings, they must be subjected to a special hardening process., By. my improved method, however, I am able to dispense with this special hardening process, inasmuch asv by my said process the density of the metal on the-exterior surface is greatly increased whereby an outer portion of increased hardness is produced for forming the required hard wearing surface.

Referring to Figures '1 and 2, an intermediate member of an improved drag link is indicated by the ordinal 18, lthe `same being, in the-form of device illustrated, made from-standard seamless steel tubing.

This tubing element 18 is formed on both.`

ends with flanges 19 upset, these 'flanges having drilled therethrough holes, for 7a purpose hereinafter fully described. Both ends of the drag link are illustrated in Figures. 1 and 2, the axle arm end being illustrated in Figure 1 and the steering arm end, in Figure 2.' Removably secured to 'the tilbular element 18 are end sockets 20 and 21 whose inner ends communicate with the tube 18, and whose outer ends 22 and 23, respectively, are closed and formed `of metal' continuous with the walls of the sockets. These sockets 20 and 2 1 are stamped from hot I rolled annealed steel and 'have inner end flanges 24 and 25 through which are drilled holes adapted to r 'ster with the flange holes of theinterme iate tube 18, whereby by means of the. bolts 26 the intermediate -tube 18 and sockets 20 and 21 areremovably secured together to form the complete casing ofthe drag link. fIhe sockets 20 and 21 are milled to form' extended slots 27 and 28 respectively, open at their innergends, -providing for the lateral shifting of theconnecting arms hereinafter described. .These connecting arms are, respectively, the axle arm '29 and the steering crank arm "30 formed, respectively, at their inner Iends with balls 31 and 32 which are journaled in y the improved bearings 16 and 17 the bearings 16 in the axle arm end of the link being, for purposes of illustration, of the flat back type, land the bearings 17 in the steering arm 'end of the drag link being, for the purpose of illustration, of the convex back type. The width of the extended slots 27 and 28 is less than the diameter of the adj acentfballs 31 and 32, so that there .is no chance for the l drag linkv to drop-olf the ball arm. v vAs is action, regardless of which wheel of the automobile strikes a bump or settles into a hole in the pavement or road.

In order to efficiently lubricate the Wearing surfaces, I draw bosses 34 in the outer ends of the sockets 20 and 21, within which are accommodated grease cups These cups 35 discharge upon the surfaces of the balls 31 and 32 through the holes 15 and the lubricant is efficiently distributed upon the ball surfaces by means of the grooves 14 formed in the bearings 1G and 17.

It 'will be noted in Figures l and 2 that the bearings upon opposite sides of the balls 31 and 32 are positioned so that the oil grooves 14 lie in relatively transverse planes upon the two sides of the ball, the bearings being preferably initially positioned so that these grooves lie in relatively right angular planes.

What I claim is:

' l. A bearing formed of hot rolled pickled steel subjected to press-coining so as to impart thereto the desired shape, whereby an outer portion of increased density and hardness is formed, said bearing having a con; cave spherical bearing 'surface intersecting one face thereof.

2. In a method of manufacturing bear-4 coining the blank to form the finished bearing, thus refining the steel and forming a smooth concave Wearing surface.

Signed by me this 29th day 0f June, 1921.

HARRY B. GARMAN. 

